The Pompey Generation

Pompey

The first permanent stone theatre in Rome was built by the Republican general and political leader Pompey in 55 BC. The Theatrum Pompeii was the biggest of three theatres built in the Campus Martius. It was described as wanton, licentious, the stronghold of every vice.

The censors of the day, concerned for the moral welfare of the public, often sought to close down shows, even close the theatres. Pompey, concerned for his legacy, attempted to get around the censors by building a temple to Venus over his theatre, ‘under which,’ he said, ‘we have put rows of seats for the shows.’ A newly converted Tertullian wrote:

‘Thus did he cloak this damned and damnable work under the name of a temple, and by the aid of superstition eluded the rule.’ (From De Spectaculis, or Treatise on Public Shows)

It seems to me that many churches today have followed the example of Pompey. The sense of the sacred has been replaced by the call of the carnal as clowns and jesters roam the courts of the King.

The pulpit is replaced by a stage, worship by sing-alongs, the Bible by storytelling, quiet lives of daily devotion by thrilling events and occasions. Under the guise of Christian worship they have brought theatre, entertainment into the church.

To paraphrase Tertullian, Thus do they cloak their damned and damnable work under the name of Christianity, and by the aid of religion elude the rule of faith:

‘What becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.’ Romans 3:27

There is an excellent 2019 commentary on this phenomenon over at Patheos, What's Next for Contemporary Worship? Hopefully death.

In so many places now sin isn’t preached any more, being replaced by encouraging words from life coaches who have unseated the expository preacher. Challenging words of life, sin and repentance, have been replaced by you-can-do-it words of encouragement and assurance, reasons to boast of our great achievements for Christ and his kingdom. He will be so pleased with us when he comes.

The Bible sits idle somewhere while Christians rush to the book table to purchase the latest ‘Live Your Best Life Now’ book from some millionaire scam artist who dresses sharp, drives a Corvette, calls himself pastor, but who has never pastored anyone in his life.

Christians are getting their theology from streaming services. Weighty hymns and choruses have been replaced with pop songs, some so poorly written they would not see the light of day out in the professional, competitive world of public entertainment.

They reflect in their lyrics the latest heresies to hit the church, telling us that God is desperate for our love, that he loves us just as we are, and all he wants to do is bless us. That we can conquer, overcome, know health and wealth, make this world so great, in fact, that we stop thinking about the next. So it is they blindly dance to Armageddon.

This is the Pompey generation and it is worshipping in the wrong temple.

Mormon Christians? Whats in a Name?

The Mormon Church, disturbed by the continuing identifying of polygamus sects in the news with the name Mormon, recently issued a press statement aimed at "clarifying" issues. It is interesting to note that if you substitute the name "Christian" where they use the name "Mormon" it makes a very good argument for us against the claims of the Mormon Church. The full press release is reproduced below in italics with each paragraph rewritten in ordinary text to present it from a Christian perspective. SALT LAKE CITY 10 July 2008 On 26 June, Newsroom published a package of information featuring profiles of ordinary Latter-day Saints in Texas. With no other intention but to define themselves, these members provided a tangible depiction of what their faith is all about. They serve as the best distinction between the lifestyles and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Texas-based polygamous group that has recently attracted media attent...

The Times of the Gentiles - by Dawn Partington

Jehovah's Witnesses teach that “the times of the gentiles” is a time period of 2,520 years, beginning in 607BC and ending in AD1914. According to their doctrine, Jesus was enthroned as King in AD1914 when the “gentile times” ended. 1. Only one verse in scripture mentions “the times of the gentiles”: 'They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.' Luke 21:24 NIV. The Jehovah's Witness organisation has linked this one verse with other prophetic passages to calculate the supposed length of these “gentile times”, notably a time period which began hundreds of years before the incarnation and ended over 1900 years after it. 2. Simple examination of the text of Luke 21 reveals what Jesus was referring to when he used the phrase “the times of the gentiles”. Let's look at the passage together and distil this into four points which you may...

How Will Jehovah Forgive Us

The June 2022 Watchtower Article 24 titled “ Jehovah—The Greatest Forgiver ” attempts to paint a picture of Jehovah as a wise, just, and knowledgeable judge – which, of course He is. However, it also shows Him as a judge who has a number of requirements before He will forgive. The article quotes numerous Old Testament scriptures showing that Jehovah will forgive our transgressions and agrees that this forgiveness is made possible through Jesus dying for our sins, though it doesn’t mention the covenant this sacrifice generated. As Christians we would understand that Jesus’ sacrifice, the shedding of His blood, pays for our sins so that a just God can be merciful and forgive them; the price for those sins has already been paid (1 Cor 6 v 20, Heb 9 v 22). In contrast, the Watchtower article talks of there being other requirements for Jehovah’s forgiveness. It states that, before Jehovah will decide to offer forgiveness, “ He needs to be able to consider...

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